We are all visitors to this time, this place. We are just passing through. Our purpose here is to observe, to learn, to grow, to love... and then we return home.

Aboriginal saying

Palliative Care

WHAT IS PALLIATIVE CARE?

If you have been told you have an illness that cannot be cured, you may have talked about palliative care. Palliative care is for people living with a
terminal illness where a cure is no longer possible and for people with an advanced, progressive serious illness who need their symptoms controlled.

Palliative care aims to manage your pain and other symptoms and to provide psychological, social and spiritual support.

The goal of palliative care is to help you and everyone close to you to achieve the best quality of life.

The World Health Organisation recognises that palliative care:

Affirms life and regards dying as a normal process

Provides pain relief and symptom control

Provides emotional, psychological, spiritual and social support

Offers a support system to help people live as actively as possible until death

Offers a support system to help families cope during the person’s illness and in their own bereavement

Uses a team approach to meet the needs of the person who is ill and their families and carers

WHAT IS COMMUNITY PALLIATIVE CARE?

Community Palliative Care is specialist care provided to those who want to be cared for at home. If you have a terminal or chronic illness, have a home
where care can be provided, and you want to die at home, then we will support you in your community.

WHAT IS END OF LIFE CARE?

End of life care is an important part of palliative care for people who are nearing the end of their life. End of life care aims to help people live as
well as possible and to die with dignity in the place they want to be and supported by the people they love.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM OUR SERVICE

Our services include:

assessing your care needs

planning how to look after pain and other symptoms

emotional support

ensuring that all parts of the care provided work for you

volunteer support

linking you to other services such as: respite care (having a person come into the home so the person providing care may have a break), Council Services, Centrelink, Aged Care Assessments, equipment and supplies

OUR MODEL OF CARE

Palliative Care South East offers a 'needs based' model of care. Care and treatment plans, based on regular assessment and individual need, will ensure
you and your carers will have access to the support you need according to your requirements and is consistent with Palliative Care South East values
of respect, innovation, integrity and enablement.

The aim of this unified approach is to ensure that both you and your carers' needs as a whole person are met. We care equally about your physical needs
as we do about your emotional, spiritual and social needs.